Ops Biological Scientist Iv - 64858240 1

Requisition No: 825047 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64858240 1

Position Number: 64858240 

Salary:  $30.00 - $35.00 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 04/05/2024 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

 Division of Disease Control and Health Protection

Bureau of Epidemiology

Job Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV

Work Location:  Region 4: Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Hardee 

Position Number: 64858240

Requisition Number: 825047

Salary: $30.00 - $35.00 hourly

Your Specific Responsibilities

• Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation.
• Serve as subject matter expert on CDC guidance.
• Perform onsite prevention-based infection prevention and control assessments, including a review of healthcare facilities' infection prevention plans, direct observation of infection control practices using a standardized tool (e.g., ICAR), and surveillance capacity.   
• Conduct onsite response-based visits to investigate suspected outbreaks or infection control breaches, including an initial consultation with healthcare facilities to identify sources and mitigate transmission.
• Document and compile findings from on-site visits and summarize them in a report and/or tracking system, with key findings and recommendations provided to the participating healthcare facility and other key stakeholders, including the HAI/AR Program, within 72 hours of the completed assessment to the facility.   
• Conduct follow-up site assessments within 4 weeks of the initial visit to ensure the healthcare facility has implemented mitigation recommendations based on report findings.
• Provide additional support for regional training in collaboration with Project Firstline Educators in each region for LTCF on infection prevention and control, as requested. The goal of 60% facility participation in each region.
• Work with healthcare facilities to include, but not limited to, long-term care facilities, dialysis facilities, dental, and outpatient care facilities for improving outbreak detection and reporting.
• Review NHSN reports and analyze Merlin data to identify opportunities for improving emerging threat detection and making recommendations for healthcare facilities with the greatest need for improvement based on surveillance data. Use this data to drive outreach for conducting ICARs.
• Utilize Florida's surveillance system, Merlin, to track outbreaks and investigate AR, MDRO, and non-AR cases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree or higher in healthcare, public health, or related fields, is required.   
• A minimum of 3 years of experience conducting on-site and/or remote health care facility infection control assessments
• 3 years of experience in health care or public health
• Certification in infection control is preferred but not required.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Region 4: Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers' Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.